Aston Villa Women's Female Leadership Aims to Blaze a Trail in Football
Natalia Arroyo, the team's manager, and Marisa Ewers, director of women's football, openly acknowledge that Aston Villa have significant work ahead to establish themselves as a formidable force in the sport. This admission comes as they reflect on their unique positions within the club's structure.
Opening Doors for Future Generations
Marisa Ewers, a former midfielder who concluded her playing career at Villa in 2022, has swiftly ascended to the role of director of women's football. She emphasizes the importance of inspiring other female players to pursue careers beyond the pitch, particularly in leadership and boardroom positions. "After you," Ewers remarked during a tour of the club's dedicated women's facilities at Bodymoor Heath, symbolizing her commitment to paving the way for others.
As Aston Villa prepares to dedicate a home league match against Manchester City to International Women's Day, it is notable that Ewers is part of a rare trio of women in senior leadership roles at the club. Alongside Maggie Murphy, the managing director, and head coach Natalia Arroyo, Villa stands out for having these key positions all occupied by women. This extends to other executive board members, such as chief people officer Lisa Bailey, head of football administration Sharon Barnhurst, and general counsel Victoria Wilkes.
Diverse Backgrounds and Shared Goals
Ewers, Murphy, and Arroyo collaborate daily on matters concerning Villa's women's team, bringing together diverse nationalities and career paths. "That's a real benefit, also having three women who have experience in women's football," Ewers explains. "We have a really big responsibility in helping other women step into the space. If women see it's possible at a big club like this, it's huge."
Natalia Arroyo, a former Barcelona player and journalist turned coach, has led Villa for just over a year. She approaches her role without focusing on gender, yet recognizes the significance of their positions. "I'm never looking at people or roles from the gender perspective," Arroyo states. "I totally understand we still need to bring this topic on the table and realise this is still an unusual thing. But I'm just seeing a person that is capable is leading us. I celebrate that the club is so natural and brave."
Autonomy and Strategic Growth
Maggie Murphy joined Villa with over 15 years of experience in the industry, including a tenure as chief executive of Lewes FC. Her arrival followed the sale of the women's team to Villa's parent company, V Sports, granting them greater autonomy. "Through this separation, it gives us a little bit more autonomy and authority to try and figure out what we want to do," Murphy notes. She has prioritized reconnecting with fans and building trust, which she considers a key achievement.
Arroyo praises Murphy's impact, saying, "When I was Googling her, I was impressed by her CV. She's amazing, she brings good energy, so it's like: 'Wow, definitely I can learn from her.' She's a massive boost for us. She's doing some great things and she's just trying to connect all the pieces."
Defining Success On and Off the Pitch
Aston Villa measures success in various ways, such as the breakthrough of young midfielder Lucia Kendall into the England team this season. Off-pitch initiatives are equally important, including partnerships with organizations like Level Playing Field to enhance experiences for disabled sports fans. For International Women's Day, the club plans to reveal starting line-ups via British Sign Language and host a networking event featuring inspirational women.
Men also play crucial roles in the setup, with the recent appointment of former Everton manager Brian Sørensen as technical adviser. Arroyo expresses enthusiasm for his contributions, stating, "I really like his way of seeing football. We were always sharing how he trains and new ideas, how he approaches games. He will be adding massive value. He will be an incredible help for me in the day-by-day."
Current Challenges and Future Ambitions
Currently ninth in the Women's Super League, Villa faces challenges, including defensive issues highlighted by a recent 7-0 loss to Tottenham. Arroyo admits the need to "go back to basics" ahead of the match against league leaders Manchester City.
Long-term, the vision is ambitious. Ewers metaphorically describes the goal as reaching "Everest," which involves winning titles and the Champions League. "What's Everest? Probably winning titles, winning the Champions League. And now I think we are at base camp. It takes a long time to get to base camp," she says. "We've worked really hard to get to this place and I would say we have everything now to really succeed and be successful. It will take some time and the long-term aim is to be that ambitious, competitive team."
